President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to live up to his words to Nigerians that he will return to the country from his latest medical vacation abroad. Wednesday marked the end of the two weeks since President Muhammadu Buhari left Nigeria for the United Kingdom on a medical break. 

The announcement of his leave was made by presidential spokesman Garba Shehu on Twitter late last month.

“President Muhammadu Buhari proceeds to London, the United Kingdom, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, for a routine medical check-up,” he tweeted on March 29. “He is due back in the country during the second week of April 2021.” 

 Mr Buhari departed for London a day after the announcement, a trip that should have required a transfer of power for the duration of two weeks it was scheduled to last.

The Nigerian Constitution requires the president to formally communicate a vacation or similar trips that will take him out of the country for long to the National Assembly, which would then allow the vice-president to play an acting role.

When asked why the president did not transmit powers to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Mr Shehu, told Channels TV that it was unnecessary as the president is not in any sick condition and is capable of carrying out his duties while on his medical trip.

“He will continue from wherever he is. The requirement of the law is that if the President is going to be absent from the country for 21 days and more, then a transmission (of power to the VP) is warranted. In this particular instance, it is not warranted,” Shehu said.

Peoples Gazette had reported the misrepresentation made by Mr Shehu in this claim, as the president is required to write a letter to parliament ahead of a vacation to enable the vice president to take charge. 

This trip is the latest in medical vacations taken since Mr Buhari was first inaugurated President in 2015. 

In 2016, Mr Buhari went on a six-day medical vacation to London, and then a 10-day medical vacation for a “persistent ear infection.” In 2017, he went on a medical vacation in London, where he wrote to the national assembly, asking the legislators to extend his leave. In May 2017, He went on another trip to London and returned after 104 days.

In 2018, he travelled again to  London for another “medical review” and in 2019, he went on a  10-day private visit to London. 

Mr Shehu on Tuesday night argued that the President was not a medical tourist, that he’s simply loyal to the same doctors that have been treating him for decades.

This medical trip comes at a time where medical doctors set out on industrial strike action over poor welfare packages and unpaid salaries.

Many Nigerians have also picketed the Nigerian leader’s residence in London, demanding that he should return home to confront the raging insecurity, worsening inflation and general economic crises.